Chapter 1967 : The Threefold Path to Ascension

After completing his exclusive cultivation of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method that involves sacrificing aspects of the self to achieve ultimate power], Path Ruins Jiang pondered deeply and ultimately sought out Eldrin Chen.

After many years apart, the three avatars of Kael Chen had all returned from within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all creation emerged], merging once more into his original self.

Eldrin Chen found Kael Chen and conversed with him at length. Yet, after much discussion, Eldrin Chen ultimately abandoned his attempt to persuade Kael Chen to switch to cultivating the Sacrificial Self Path.

For upon this return, Kael Chen's Great Path [his unique and supreme cultivation methodology] had taken initial form. His Three Great Foundations [the three core pillars of his cultivation base] were already extraordinary: his Myriad Worlds Unification Body [a divine ability that unifies the power of countless worlds], his Great Path that harmonized the divergent paths of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic cultivation into one, and even his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] were all but a single step away from achieving the True Spirit Foundation [a perfect, unshakable spiritual foundation].

Relying solely on his own efforts, he had an exceedingly high chance of cultivating the Three True Spirit Foundations. There was no immediate necessity for him to switch to the Sacrificial Self Path.

Although Kael Chen did not switch paths, the fact that Path Ruins Jiang had done so gave Eldrin Chen a measure of confidence regarding the eventual great completion of the Sacrificial Self Path.

Without further delay, he then returned to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain and resumed his secluded cultivation.

With ample resources at hand, the cultivation speed of his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique born from chaos, granting near-immortality] was naturally swift. After approximately twenty million years, the foundational accumulation for Eldrin Chen's Great Encompassing Physique [a supreme physique that encompasses and harmonizes all things] was sufficient, and he finally broke through to the sixth layer of the Great Encompassing Physique.

Following this breakthrough, Eldrin Chen's combat power derived from his physical body saw another significant increase, growing by more than fifty percent.

At this point, Eldrin Chen realized that his physical strength alone should now be sufficient to rival a top-tier Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm where one's power encompasses the cosmos] at the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Although it still could not compare to top-tier Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing cultivators like the Primal Chaos Kui Ox or the Nine Extremes Divine Lord, this level of combat prowess was by no means weak within the Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing realm.

However, because he cultivated the Three Great Foundations simultaneously, the overall increase in his combat power was not exceptionally large, amounting to less than a twenty percent improvement over his original baseline.

Not long after Eldrin Chen completed his breakthrough, Exquisite Jiang's True Spirit Primordial Spirit advanced to the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, and her overall combat strength increased once more, now roughly comparable to the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level.

If one factored in her True Spirit Treasure, the Exquisite Immortal Pagoda, Exquisite Jiang's strength could rival more than half of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection cultivator.

In the following years, the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivation of Verdant Consort, Nyssa Qu, and others also successively broke through, and before they knew it, they had stepped into the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

During this subsequent period, Eldrin Chen also devoted himself fully to cultivating his Primordial Spirit and comprehending the Great Path. Finally, forty million years after the Kalpa Tribulation [a grand cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal], his Primordial Spirit cultivation broke through to the Sixth Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Another twenty million years passed, and Eldrin Chen finally managed, just before the opening of the Primordial Chaos World Sea, to cultivate his Chaos Limitless Great Path to the Sixth Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm.

Thus, all three of Eldrin Chen's Three Great Foundations had reached the Sixth Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, with each foundational pillar possessing power comparable to an Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

"Such formidable power," he murmured.

After completing his breakthrough, Eldrin Chen sensed the immense energy coursing within him and slowly let out a deep breath.

The three great foundations, each rivaling the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth and penultimate stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], were individually formidable to a staggering degree. Now, with the Three Great Foundations [a supreme cultivation method focusing on three foundational aspects] fused into one, the power of the Burst [a divine ability of explosive, overwhelming force] was destined to shake heaven and earth.

Eldrin Chen focused inward, sensing that his spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by immortals] was indeed astonishingly vast, significantly surpassing that of an ordinary Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]. It matched his expectations without significant deviation.

"Although my combat prowess has not yet fully entered the domain of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord who has comprehended the Primordial Chaos Dao], I can be considered to have one foot already planted within it," he mused.

"As I am now, even facing an ordinary Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection, I believe I could contend against five at once."

Eldrin Chen whispered these thoughts to himself before finally, slowly, reining in his formidable aura.

He emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep, undisturbed cultivation] to find Exquisite Jiang and the others had been waiting for some time.

Seeing him exit seclusion, Nyssa Qu smiled and said, "The Primordial Chaos World Sea [a vast, primordial expanse connecting countless realms and worlds] is about to open. With your breakthrough now, our strength has finally increased by another measure."

Eldrin Chen returned the smile and inquired, "Shall we prepare to depart, then?"

Noting his demeanor, Exquisite Jiang asked in turn, "In your opinion, how many of us should go this time?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly. Over these past tens of millions of years, the several Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [powerful immortals who have attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] within the Chen Clan had successively completed their own breakthroughs.

Among them, Exquisite Jiang's cultivation in both the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate spiritual core of a cultivator] and the Great Path [the supreme cultivation method] had broken through to the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. With her formidable foundation augmented by a True Spirit Treasure [a supreme-grade enchanted artifact], her cultivation depth was sufficient to rival an Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing. In terms of combat prowess, she could hold her own against three opponents of that same realm.

It must be understood that an ordinary Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection could, at best, barely contend with five Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing cultivators simultaneously.

With such formidable combat strength, Exquisite Jiang's power was comparable to a significant portion of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection cultivator.

Projecting this progress, Eldrin Chen estimated that by the time Exquisite Jiang broke through to the Sixth Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, she would possess combat power on par with a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection.

Although such profound depth still fell short of Eldrin Chen's own capability to face five Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection cultivators alone, it was nonetheless considered exceptionally powerful.

Meanwhile, Verdant Consort had also stepped into the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. As a being who had taken human form from a Primordial Chaos Verdant Lotus [a legendary lotus born from primordial chaos] and cultivated the Seven True Spirit Foundations [a supreme cultivation art establishing seven spiritual foundations], her cultivation depth far surpassed her peers, allowing her to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Her combat prowess was naturally immense, nearly matching Exquisite Jiang. Even two or three ordinary Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators joining forces would likely struggle to defeat her.

As a cultivator of the Six True Spirit Foundations, Nyssa Qu's foundation was slightly inferior. Fortunately, she wielded the Innate Celestial Slaughter Artifact [a weapon born with the power to slay celestials] known as the Nine Severities Spirit-Slaying Sword Formation [a lethal sword formation], which compensated for her relative weakness at the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass [a specific cultivation bottleneck]. Consequently, she too possessed top-tier Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing combat strength, capable of facing two opponents with ease.

This level of power was roughly equivalent to that of beings like the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix and the Primal Chaos Kui Ox.

In recent years, the Reincarnation Body [an avatar cultivated through reincarnation cycles] had also completed its breakthrough. Bolstered by a mid-grade Inner Immortal Domain [an internal world cultivated within oneself] and the Ten Great Immortal Treasuries [a set of ten supreme divine abilities], its spiritual energy reserves were comparable to an Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, and its combat power could rival that of Exquisite Jiang.

Beyond these individuals, the cultivation realms and spiritual power of the others fell short by more than a notch; at most, they possessed only the strength of a Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen mused, "Each time the Primordial Chaos World Sea [the primordial, formless expanse from which all worlds are born] opens, those qualified to venture within are, at minimum, beings of Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal stature. Among them are never few figures of the Primordial One Imperial Lord echelon."

"Even if we remain in the periphery, avoiding the struggle for Innate Primordial Breath [the purest, foundational energy of creation] in the core regions, we will still face a multitude of powerhouses at the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level, and even those who have reached Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection."

"Under such circumstances, venturing deep within with insufficient cultivation would be far too perilous."

Having said this, Eldrin Chen cast a final glance over the assembly and declared, "For this expedition to the Sea of Chaos, those whose combat prowess falls below the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal shall not proceed."

"Husband."

The complexions of Lila and Violet Consort Yan flickered slightly, yet in the end, they could only grit their teeth and acquiesce to Eldrin Chen's decision.

They had broken through to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Mid Stage little more than a single Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration] ago. Even the fastest among them, in terms of Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] cultivation, had only just reached the Fifth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Their overall combat strength barely allowed them to tread into the domain of a Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, a level where they would indeed struggle to provide significant aid.

Seeing the worry etched upon their faces, Eldrin Chen placed a reassuring hand on each of their shoulders. "Do not fret," he said gently. "By guarding the Eight Great Immortal Domains in my stead, you relieve me of all concerns for our rear. That is aid enough."

Hearing this, both women nodded, a trace of a smile finally gracing their features.

After settling the clan affairs, Eldrin Chen wasted no time and immediately set off for the Chaos Desolation Sea.

For this expedition to the Chaos Desolation Sea, the Chen Immortal Clan dispatched four Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators: Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and Nyssa Qu. Counting a Reincarnation Body as well, their force could be considered equivalent to five Great Encompassing Golden Immortal experts.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen had also invited the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix. This Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix was, after all, a top-tier Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal being, a significant asset to their strength.

With these six formidable combatants united, Eldrin Chen estimated they would face no fear even against seven or eight Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection opponents.

Thus, the six of them traversed the Chaos and, before they knew it, arrived at the periphery of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

Upon reaching the edge of the Chaos Desolation Sea, Eldrin Chen surveyed the surroundings and found that a considerable number of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators had already gathered there.

These Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators were all at least at the Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level, with no shortage of top-tier Great Encompassing experts who had reached Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection.

Among these various Great Encompassing Golden Immortal figures, some rode True Dragons that tore through the void, others arrived astride Chaos Immortal Phoenixs, and still others had chariots pulled by Chaos Demon Gods. Each exuded an aura of immense grandeur, like Primordial Era Divine Spirits standing firm within the Depths of Chaos.

"Such formidable auras," Eldrin Chen murmured.

Eldrin Chen murmured, a trace of solemnity flickering deep within his pupils.

"Brother Eldrin, it has been a while,"

a gentle voice sounded from nearby at that very moment.

Eldrin Chen looked up to see a figure clad in a jade-like verdant robe, riding a Primordial Era Azure Dragon that tore through the sky, slowly materializing before him.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Donghua. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

The newcomer was indeed the Donghua Immortal Lord. Dressed in verdant robes and holding a folding fan, he resembled a refined noble from the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world], yet carried an aura of transcendent detachment, as if standing apart from the world.

He smiled, cupped his hands in greeting to the assembled figures, and said with a light laugh, "Each time the Primordial Chaos World Sea opens, it is a rare feast for the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the highest tier of immortal cultivators] of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains."

"It is an Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with destiny and great luck] to prove one's path to the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme realm of cultivation], and also the best place to obtain the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primordial, indestructible spiritual radiance]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement.

Every time the Primordial Chaos World Sea opened, a great quantity of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light would appear. On occasion, several strands of Innate Primordial Breath [the original, foundational energy of creation] would even manifest. Such Opportunity and Fortune was impossible for any cultivator to ignore.

Seeing this, Donghua Immortal Lord opened the folding fan in his hand, waved it gently a few times, and said, "Although the Primordial Chaos World Sea holds immense Opportunity and Fortune, you must not venture too deeply into its heart."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he listened intently to Donghua Immortal Lord's words.

Donghua Immortal Lord gave a slight nod and continued, "When the Primordial Chaos World Sea opens, the deeper one ventures, the greater the probability of encountering Primordial One Grade Chaos Lair."

"These lairs not only contain Innate Primordial Breath [the purest form of primordial energy from the dawn of creation], but also give rise to Primordial One Grade Chaos Demon God. Each emergence draws a massive contention from numerous Primordial One Imperial Lord."

At this point, a trace of gravity settled in the brow of Donghua Imperial Lord as he said, "The core of the Primordial Chaos World Sea is a battlefield for the Primordial One Imperial Lord. We should not delve into that region."

"It is sufficient to seek Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a luminous spiritual essence that grants a foundational form of immortality] in the periphery. If one's Opportunity and Fortune is sufficient, it is still possible to encounter Innate Primordial Breath there."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of contemplation passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

It was foreseeable that even if Innate Primordial Breath appeared in the periphery, one would still face contention from hundreds, even thousands, of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

To stand out from the crowd and obtain the Innate Primordial Breath [the most fundamental and purest form of energy from the dawn of creation], one requires not only formidable means but also astonishing Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destiny that shapes a cultivator's path] and sheer luck.

As they spoke, the Chaos Desolation Sea [a boundless, turbulent expanse of primordial energy between worlds] before them began to tremble violently. A realm brimming with intense Innate [pertaining to the primordial, uncreated state] light flickered into view, appearing indistinctly before the assembled figures.

"The Primordial Chaos World Sea [a nascent cosmic realm birthed from the chaos, containing countless potential worlds] is nearing its final form of gestation."

A Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained a state of perfection encompassing all phenomena] murmured, their eyes igniting with a light that could startle even the gods.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen felt a complex mix of anticipation and solemn gravity well up within his gaze.

Most Primordial Chaos World Sea are born from the womb of the Chaos Desolation Sea. They are woven from the interlocking rules of the Primordial Chaos Great Path [the fundamental Dao governing all chaos and creation], making them natural cradles for Chaos Lair [sanctuaries or domains of power hidden within the chaos].

Within the bounds of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [a specific region of the cosmic expanse], every Primordial Chaos World Sea that gestates emerges into existence only after the Chaos Lair within it has fully formed.

The Primordial Chaos World Sea before them now radiated such a torrent of Innate light, shining as brilliantly as an eternal sun within the Chaos [the state of primordial disorder and potential], a clear sign that its birth was imminent, separated from them by only the final step.

"Huummm—"

An immeasurable span of time seemed to pass before a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the depths of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

Eldrin Chen raised his gaze. From the depths of the Chaos Desolation Sea [a turbulent and desolate expanse of primordial chaos], a violent tremor echoed forth. Immediately after, that mass of the Primordial Chaos World Sea [the primordial sea from which worlds are born] seemed to be veiled by some immense power, on the verge of vanishing entirely from within the Chaos Desolation Sea.

"Thinking of fleeing? I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

At that very moment, a cold, mocking laugh rang out from within the Chaos [the formless, primordial state of existence before creation].

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw a sword radiance of blinding brilliance cleave through the firmament. It instantly split the Chaos Desolation Sea asunder and plunged deep into its churning heart.

Close on its heels, several dozen majestic figures strode across the heavens, their auras shattering the void as they too charged into the depths of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

Eldrin Chen needed only a glance to perceive that each of these powerhouses possessed an aura of immense, terrifying might. Any one of them could effortlessly tear this expanse of Chaos Desolation Sea apart.

"The Western Pole Voidwalker Sword Emperor, the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor, the Tai Cang Divine Emperor…"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, instantly picking out several familiar figures from among the gathered host of heroes.

Yet, among this assembly of supreme experts, Eldrin Chen did not spot the Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor. Had he been present, Eldrin's own safety would have been far more assured.

The Eastern Splendor Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler among immortals] seemed to have anticipated this. He cast a glance at the host of heroes gathered upon the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the heavens] and spoke, "The Southern Abyss Seven Domains [a collective name for seven powerful and perilous realms] teem with formidable experts. Those who have reached the level of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [the pinnacle rank among Imperial Lords] are by no means few in number."

"Each time the Primordial Chaos World Sea [a nascent, chaotic realm where new worlds are born] opens, it yields at most a few dozen strands of Innate Primordial Breath [the foundational, purest energy from which all creation springs]. If every Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme cultivator who has unified their inner cosmos into a single, primordial origin] were to come and contend for them, it would be a case of too many monks for too little gruel. The ensuing conflict would likely outweigh any potential gains."

"Therefore, the major powers across the Seven Great Immortal Domains [the seven dominant immortal realms of this region] have forged a covenant. Each time the Primordial Chaos World Sea coalesces into form, no more than thirty Primordial One Imperial Lord may enter to explore it."

"Among them, newly ascended Primordial One Imperial Lord are guaranteed a spot. The remaining qualifications are allocated in rotation among the great powers."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this, finding the reasoning behind the method sound.

The Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a vast and prosperous cluster of three thousand immortal realms] alone are home to seven Chaos Heavenly Emperor [supreme sovereigns who rule over primordial chaos], yet fewer than one in a hundred Primordial One Imperial Lord ever breaks through to become a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [an existence who has transcended the established paths to forge their own, sage-like dao].

One can infer that the Three Thousand Immortal Domains harbor at least seven hundred Primordial One Imperial Lord. Even if the other six domains of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [the seven domains bordering the Southern Abyss] cannot match the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, their numbers of Primordial One Imperial Lord are certainly not small.

It is likely that across the entire Southern Abyss Seven Domains, there are over three thousand Primordial One Imperial Lord.

Under such circumstances, if anyone could enter and contend every time the Primordial Chaos World Sea opened, no amount of resources would suffice. They might not even gather enough resources to Recovery [a powerful restorative ability] from the injuries sustained in the struggle.

By agreeing in advance to rotate entry for thirty Primordial One Imperial Lord, the hope of seizing an Innate Primordial Breath becomes significantly greater, even if one might only get a turn once every ten thousand Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal]. Moreover, it avoids exposing oneself to excessive risk.

Of course, from Eldrin Chen's perspective, such an arrangement is not equally beneficial to all parties.

As for allowing newly ascended Primordial One Imperial Lord [a cultivator who has recently reached the first major stage of the Imperial Lord realm] to enter and explore for Opportunity and Fortune [chance encounters and resources that can dramatically alter one's destiny], it may seem like a gesture of goodwill towards these newcomers.

However, with their nascent cultivation base and shallow reserves of power, how could these new Primordial One Imperial Lord possibly contend against the established, veteran Primordial One Imperial Lord?

It is abundantly clear that these newly ascended Imperial Lord [a sovereign-level cultivator commanding immense power] are merely there to make up the numbers. In the end, they are unlikely to obtain any Innate Primordial Breath [the purest form of foundational cosmic energy, essential for high-level cultivation breakthroughs]. At best, they might secure a few strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a radiant spiritual substance that grants temporary or minor enhancements to one's durability].